Saturday, March 22, 2008

Have a look at the picture below. It looks like an Epcot future world pavillion doesn’t? Except that it’s not. It’s some of the stunning futuristic buildings of the Futuroscope, one of the most interesting french theme park. Located at only 90 minutes by train from Paris - with a direct train station access to the park, the Futuroscope opened, in fact, 5 years before Disneyland paris. The concept was to create a theme park that will be a tribute to all the image and projection techniques, including simulation rides, and not only the one existing in the “present”, but, too, to introduce the new techniques that will appear in the future.

At the Futuroscope, you’ll see some of the best futuristic architecture you’ve ever seen. Some building even look like giant crystal rocks in which the sky reflects, wonderfully...and some of them could make jealous the architects of Epcot’s future world...

If you like IMAX, the Futuroscope is undoubtedly the biggest IMAX “show-room” in the world, including some you’ve never heard about, like the one called the “magic carpet” which include two giant screens, one in front of you and one under you.

The foundator of the Futuroscope was René Monory, the president of the Vienne region in Francen in the late 1980s with the ambitious aim of “harnessing” the future. His initiative was a success, encapsulating the aspirations of the French and their steady reassurance that technology was the way forward.

This first video will show you some of the Futuroscope attractions.

I will talk in a future article about the 2008 new attractions, but recently, they introduced a new theme, “Robots”, with two major attractions “Dances with the robots” and “the Robot zoo” . Let’s begin by “Dances with robots”.

This breathtaking show use ten 7-metre-high robots performing a dance routine you just won’t see anywhere else. The attraction is a technological gem in which two passengers take their seats at the top of robots inspired by the manipulator arms found in the car manufacturing industry. Once safely strapped in, they are waltzed around in all directions by centrifugal forces that tempt the forces of gravity and guarantee a giddy thrill as they play an active part in a ground-breaking, grandiose and unusual ballet that moves in time to a series of musical sequences. It does not matter whether visitors are watching from the mezzanine floor above the action or are actually in the dynamic seats, they will all enjoy this new and exhilarating form of artistic expression.

These huge robot arms are coming from the Kuka technology, and look at them closely, as it was the same kind of robot-arm that was envisioned for a WDI attraction on the "Incredibles" theme...until Universal succeed to have the exclusivity of the technology for a future Harry Potter attraction, opening in 2009. However, the Universal exclusivity may be only on the U.S territory. Which could mean that all is not lost, and other Disney theme parks, like Tokyo Disneyland could have in the future this "Incredibles" attraction...we'll see.

In the meantime, here is a making-of video of this robotic attraction.

Let's come back to the Futuroscope, and this next one is “the robot zoo”, that “combines fun and learning to deliver an enjoyable and enriching experience”. Housed in a circular attractions theatre, it’s an interactive journey where the emphasis is on the biomechanics of the giant robot animals to give visitors an insight into how real animals live. Six mechanical creations combined with a range of entertaining and educational activities make this an amazing safari . This one-of-a-kind zoo uses creepers, umbrella pines and other tropical plants to recreate a natural setting in which to see large robots of a chameleon, a bat, a giraffe, a grasshopper, a giant squid and a fly.

The mechanical movements of these robot animals mimic the movements of their real-life equivalents. Visitors can see the pistons and pumps that act as muscles, the tubing that replaces the intestines, the computer brains, etc. The attraction is boosted by twelve interactive experiences. Around each robot animal is a series of amusing play activities so that visitors can interact with the animal. This attraction shows the magic of nature in a fun way and appeals especially to the youngest children.

Of course there is many other attractions, with new movies that i’d like to let you know about, beginning by “travellers by air and sea” , the movie at the “magic carpet” pavillion: Voyageurs du Ciel et de la Mer takes its audience on a poetic and ecological odyssey that cannot be seen anywhere in the world but at Futuroscope, in a theatre that boasts the Double Imax® format. Two gigantic screens, one in front and one underfoot, let the audience fly with the birds above the whales and dolphins. As viewers are totally immersed in the film they go “beyond mere emotion, into a world of unadulterated thrills”.

The building itself consists of two areas, one above the other, separated by an oblique glass floor. In the upper area, nearly 250 seats in tiered rows face a giant 672 m2 screen. In the lower area, a second inclined screen, 748 m2 large, stretches out beneath the spectators' feet. Two films are projected simultaneously from two projection rooms equipped with IMAX technology.

Another attraction, “Race For Atlantis” is an astounding, lightning-quick 3D race into the mythical city. Take the controls of your shaky chariot and charge headlong to the aid of Atlantis.Powerful hydraulic jacks operated by computers activate the platforms. Images are projected onto a giant dome-shaped screen. The 3D effect is reproduced by means of liquid crystral glasses and the sound capacity is strengthened by individual sound systems... to put you in the heart of the action...

Mind you, not only you’ll find many attractions with 3D or simulators system of the latest technology like “Peril on Akrylis”, This futuristic adventure that will make your hair stand on end, is hurtling visitors along on a breakneck chase through the heart of an imaginary technological future. Lurking in the shadows is a monster eager to get its hands on the energy source that ensures the survival of Akrylis...

There is too a “dark ride” . It’s called “Star of the future” where you can take a look inside a major film studio, feel the buzz of the film set and discover the secrets behind the special effects. Visitors are enrolled in an audition and their acting talents are put to the test. Next, they board the pods and travel behind the scenes of 8 film sets to discover the atmosphere and the technical trickery used.

There is also a not-to-be-missed-attraction: “Journey into the Dark” , an amazing experience, and probably one of the most simple concept i ever seen - although it’s a litlle bit more difficult to built than it looks.Why? because it’s total darkness! you can’t see anything - nothing at all, and that’s the goal: to try to make you feel how blind people are experiencing the world...”More than 70,000 visitors have already visited "Les Yeux Grands Fermés" - "Eyes wide shut" - in which they are led on a fun walk in the dark through several specially arranged zones prepared using objects, smellsand sounds.Les Yeux Grands Fermés provides in fact a unique sensory trip into the unseen.Visitors are led along the route in groups of ten by a blind guide, experiencing what daily life is like for those who cannot see. This attraction is a search for sense and thesenses that allows visitors to understand the world and to learn to live together in anew way as they are spurred on by a hundred different sound, touch and smell stimuli.

May be it can look strange to you for an attraction concept, but if you’re there one day, don’t miss it. Not only you will re-discover a new way to “feel” the world in other way than with your normal vision, but, too, when you’ll leave, the happiness - i should say the “blessing” - to be able to see with your own eyes...

The Futuroscope also have a night show on the Futuroscope lake. And the new evening show “the forest of dreams “ is better than ever! “Somewhere out there on this planet" a new show created by the artists from Skertzo in association with Parc du Futuroscope’s own teams, sets the 7,000-m2˜ water stage a glow with the grace and power of images against water screens, pyrotechnic effects and blazes of light. Futuroscope is already known for the quality of its evening shows, and here it offers its most ambitious and consummate production yet in terms of technological achievement and rich aesthetic touch.

Of course, the futuroscope have a web site, and you can know more about it at : www.futuroscope.com - and there is an english version!

I was going to tell you that the Futuroscope was unique in its kind in the world, and it’s still true, but may be not forever, as the general council of the Vienne region have made a deal with the chinese city of Shenzen to built the same concept over there. Here is the first concept-art released , and it looks really close to the other aerial picture below of the actual park in france....And you know what? the Shenzen city where this new chinese “Futuroscope” will be built is at less than one hour of another asian theme park: Hong Kong Disneyland...

Friday, March 21, 2008

Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the crystal skul will be release on May 22, and the big question is: - apart "how good will be the movie?" - Will there be any changes in the Indiana Jones adventure attraction, and eventually, something new on the Indy theme in Adventureland?

For Indiana Jones adventure, it seems that we can count on improvement on the Indy Audio-animatronic, with new face that will be, this time, exactly Harisson Ford's face and also Harisson's real voice. A new AA of his son played by Shia LaBeouf? Not sure, let's say 50-50% chances...we'll see!

But something else looks more sure: the coming of a new Indiana Jones street stunt show starring at least three characters - Indiana Jones and another archeologist and one "villain". Why? because, according the to Disneyland Casting website, a new show seems to be in the works with what is called: "Indiana Jones Summer of Hidden Mysteries".

Here is what they're looking for:

Seeking Male and Female Actors for Indiana Jones’ latest live-action adventure which immerses Guests in a series of experiences that include solving mysteries, battling evil villains and uncovering ancient artifacts. For all roles stage combat experience is a plus but not necessary.

Role Descriptions:

Indiana Jones: Male, 40’s; a rugged adventurer, great physical shape; can play drama, toss off comic lines and throw a punch – all with equal ability; must interact well with children

Archaeologist: Female, late 20’s–early 40’s; English accent; starts out kind and helpful but eventually reveals a villainous side; will interact with children and lead them through a series of activities.

The Bad Guy: Male; imposing stature; physical agility and stamina a must; pursues Indiana Jones through the crowded streets of Adventureland, ending in a series of balcony and rooftop confrontations.

The auditions will start April 1st, and if you think you're the right person for any of those three characters, it's time for you to get in touch with them.

The last question is: where the show will be play? Obviously, in Adventureland, but, knowing how crowded are the streets of Adventureland during the summer season, let's hope that the fights will take place on the rooftops!

One more thing for those of you who like great pictures for their computer screen: the image at the top is a wallpaper image in high-res.

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Today, i found in my Disney "archives" a press kit that was sent to me in 1996 by the Disneyland press office. It's a presentation of the "future" Disneyland Resort and what was going to be, some years later, Disney's California Adventure.

Everything is there, the Entrance, the Animation building, Soarin', the Grizzly raft ride, the Grand Californian hotel, etc...but if we have a close look to the renderings, nothing look like what we know. It's a Disney's California Adventure that never was!

Let's have a look first at the rendering on the cover of this six-pages brochure. It is supposed to be the entrance of the park. The monorail is still passing through, but no Golden Gate, etc...And this giant golden spire was supposed to be the icon of the park, just like Sleeping Beauty castle can be for Disneyland.

Now, if this giant spire looks familiar to you, dear readers, it's normal. You just saw it four days ago in my Westcot article - see the Westcot rendering below - and this spire was probably one of the rare reminiscence of the Westcot project in this early DCA concept-art.

But all is not lost in this "entrance" rendering. If we have a look at this picture of the model of DCA future new entrance, we can see that, here too, there is some reminiscence of this first DCA entrance concept-art. But the giant spire has disappeared forever.

The next page of the brochure was introducing the new Disneyland Resort, and i suggest you to double-click on the image to read the text.

As we are going to see, the next page is very interesting, too...

The Art of animation building looks totally different than the one we know...

And it's the same for the Soarin building, very different, too.

Even more interesting are these two renderings. Not only the Grizzly rafts don't look like the one show here, but we are still waiting for an "abc" attraction!

The master plan on the next page may look familiar...

But if you have a close look to the DCA section, you will notice that big changes were done in the final version, beginning by the water canals...

Next page is interesting, too. The buildings on the rendering with the monorail were never built, and even the Grand Californian hotel had a different architecture.

The last page who show the redesign of Walnut Street and Katella Blvd is may be the most accurate with the final result, though...

We know the rest of the story, and how DCA finally had a totally different look, but i thought it was interesting to share with you this first vision of the park. We are now all waiting for the third "vision", and hopefully, this time, it will be the right one!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

I am not going to tell you the story of the Carousel of Progress, we all know everything about it.

Instead, here is a pictorial report, with great pictures and videos, and Walt himself describing this beloved attraction.

The Carousel of Progress, it's also a song "There is a great big beautiful tomorrow" written by the Sherman brothers in a time where the hope in the future was stronger than today!

In the first video below, right after the Leonard Matlin intro, Walt is with the Sherman brothers rehearsing the song. And he stands near the model of the attraction which was going to open at the New York's world fair, General Electric pavilion.

But the Carousel of Progress was also the beginning of life-size audio-animatronic, and in this next video, Walt introduce them to the audience.

Here is an old Disneyland postcard showing the Carousel of Progress building in Disneyland.

Here is now some pictures of the attraction, if possible in chronological order, as there is a chronology.

And now, for those of you who miss the attraction - but we all miss it, don't we? - here is a great video of the whole show by ru42.

But some of you may remember the OTHER version of Carousel of Progress, with a different song "Now is the time". Personally, this one was my favorite theme, and here is, in two parts, videos of this version, thanks to "magicalthemeparks"

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